Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Grave marker – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Photo of WILLIAM CHARD FAIRGRIEVE – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Document – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Letter – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star August 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From a World War 2 issue of the Vancouver Province c.1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From a World War 2 issue of the Vancouver Province c.May 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Photo of William Fairgrieve – In memory of the students from the University of British Columbia who went to war and did not return. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

Photo of William Chard Fairgrieve

Group Photo – From left to right: William Fairgrieve, Joseph Srigley, Leonard Brown, from 428 squadron crew all died August 17, 1944. Photo from Robert E. Toomey, their crew mate. Courtesy of C. Lafleur

Group Photo – Crew of Lancaster KB751 who perished August 17, 1944. Photo by Sgt Robert E. Toomey, Flight Engineer who was only survivor and taken prisoner on the Danish island Sejero. *** From left: Harry Slater (Bomb Aimer), Robert R. Boyce (Wireless Operator), William A. Lamb (Mid-upper Gunner), Leonard G. Brown (Navigator), William C. Fairgrieve (Pilot), Joseph Ralph Gordon Srigley (Tail Gunner). Crewmate Robert E. Toomey (Flight Engineer) was sole survivor and POW at Stalag Luft VII, Bankau. *** Submitted by Claude D. Lafleur, son-in-law of Robert E. Toomey. Credit "Wartime Diary of Robert E. Toomey" website.

Memorial – Photo and story of crash courtesy Air War Over Denmark www.flensted.eu.com Lancaster X KB751 of 428 Sqn was on the return flight of a bombing mission to Stettin, Germany when it crashed in the sea south west of the island of Sejrø 17/8 1944. F.Sgt. R. G. Toomey was the only member of the crew to survive. The outbound trip went according to schedule, and the bomb load was dropped at approximately 01:20 hours and Pilot F/O William C. Fairgrieve headed back to base. After about 50 minutes Bomb Aimer F/O Harry Slater, who was throwing out 'windows', called on the intercom: 'Skipper, there is a vertical light off to port'. Next there was a terrific crashing noise and the Lancaster started burning. Apparently they had been attacked by a German night fighter. P. O. Slater was the first to bail out while Flt. Engr. R. E.Toomey tried to reach W/op Robert R. Boyce on the intercom before bailing out himself At 02:16 the Lancaster crashed into the sea 2 miles at 190 degree from Sejrø lighthouse. Toomey blacked out when leaving the aircraft, and woke up in the water without harness or chute being held up by his Mae West. He swam in the direction of the lighthouse and entered the island of Sejrø at Lydebjerg. He was later taken Prisoner of War. During the day of 17/8 the dead body of F/O Fairgrieve was retrieved from the sea south west of Sejrø lighthouse On 30/8 Tail gunner F/O Joseph R. G. Srigley was found washed ashore on Veddinge Strand beach on the island of Sjælland. On 2/9 1944 the body of F/O Harry Slater was found washed ashore on the island of Getterön on the Swedish west coast near Varberg. He was laid to rest in Varberg Church`s New Cemetery with full military honours. Mid upper gunner F/S William A. Lamb, W/Op Sgt Robert R. Boyce and Navigator F/O Leonard G. Brown have no known graves and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Monument – Photo of Memorial dedicated 2/9 1945 to F/O Fairgrieve and a member of the RAF. Courtesy Air War Over Denmark www.flensted.eu.com

Memorial – Flying Officer William Chard Fairgrieve is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Memorial – Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Memorial – Flying Officer William Chard Fairgrieve is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens